Iraqi Foreign Minister to Al Arabiya: A plan to confine weapons to the state until next June

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The Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, held a round-table meeting with journalists in Washington, in which Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath participated, during which he discussed the future of Iraqi-American relations with the end of the international coalition’s mission to fight ISIS, the government’s plan to deal with the weapons of the armed factions, and the impact of Iranian influence, in addition to the sanctions on Iranian airlines and their repercussions on the movement of religious visits between Iraq and Iran.

Hussein said that his visit to Washington comes at an important stage in relations between the two countries, coinciding with the transition from cooperation within the framework of the international coalition to discussing broader bilateral relations, including security, military, economic, financial, and political aspects.

He explained that his meetings with American officials are still continuing, and that the visit schedule includes important meetings to discuss files related to the Iraqi situation and developments in the region, noting that the relationship between Washington and Tehran and the ongoing conflict between them were among the basic topics in his discussions.

A government plan to deal with factional weapons

In his response to Al Arabiya’s question about restricting weapons to the state, guarantees related to the armed factions handing over their weapons, and the influence of Iranian influence, Hussein said that he had a lengthy phone call with the Iraqi Prime Minister on the morning of the meeting, during which he discussed this issue.

He explained that the government has a clear plan that extends until June of next year, during which the concerned groups will give up their weapons, with the ultimate goal being to integrate them into the government forces.

He pointed out that the implementation of the plan has already begun, and that the “Loyal to God” group issued a statement declaring its support for the government’s plan and the Prime Minister’s policy. He added that he understood from the Prime Minister that the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades were also preparing to issue a statement, either on the evening of the meeting or the next day, declaring their support for the plan.

Hussein said that the government is dealing with seven groups in this file, three of which have already announced their support for the plan, while some have begun handing over their weapons to the armed forces.

As for the other four groups, he explained that the government was waiting for its positions, and that two of them were preparing to issue statements in support of the plan, while negotiations continued with a third group, provided that the position of the fourth group would become clear after that.

He stressed that the government seeks to achieve its goal gradually, and has the necessary means and timetable to implement the plan. He reiterated that two groups had already announced their support for the Prime Minister's policy in the context of the developments he spoke about.

Hussein's statements came in response to a question posed by the director of Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath office, which addressed concerns about the continued influence of factions linked to Iran, the fact that weapons remain outside the authority of the state, and the extent to which groups that have not yet agreed to hand over their weapons adhere to the announced timetable.

While the question referred to next July, the minister set the end of the plan in June of next year, basing his response on what he described as progress in the positions of a number of groups and the continuation of negotiations with other groups.

Iranian influence... “an Iraqi matter and a constitutional requirement”

In a follow-up to Al Arabiya’s question about Iranian influence and fears that Tehran will return to fill the vacuum, Hussein stressed that the conversation concerns Iraqi citizens, and that the discussion within the government and among political leaders revolves around the nature of the step and its goals.

He explained that the question raised internally is whether the integration of these groups into the armed forces was an Iraqi step, or the result of external pressures or influences, stressing that returning to the constitution makes its implementation a constitutional requirement and an Iraqi matter in the first place.

Hussein acknowledged that the Iraqi government was subjected to pressure, and that there were influences from other parties on the armed groups or on the government to change course, but he stressed the government’s commitment to what it promised and to the plan it developed.

He added that Baghdad expects other parties to adhere to the Iraqi government's plan, expressing his belief that the majority of Iraqi political leaders support it.

He pointed out that support for the plan is not limited to the government, but also includes political parties, while he considered that dealing with parties that will not cooperate with the government represents a “different issue,” without providing additional details regarding possible measures toward them.

Bilateral security relations after the end of the coalition mission

Regarding the security relationship with the United States, the Iraqi Foreign Minister said that internal discussions regarding the departure of the coalition forces began a year or two ago, and have continued recently between the government and political leaders.

He explained that Baghdad was stressing during these discussions that leaving the coalition would open the door to establishing bilateral security relations, especially with the United States.

He added that Iraq will discuss in the future how to build bilateral security relations with Washington and some European countries, including the United Kingdom and France, along with other European countries.

Regarding the nature of the prospective relationship, Hussein said that the matter requires reaching an agreement between the two parties, and that Baghdad will present its vision on how to manage bilateral security cooperation, but the final formula also depends on the position of the American side.

He stressed that Iraq will raise this file during its meetings in Washington, but it has not yet begun negotiating the agreement.

He pointed out the possibility of basing discussions on the Strategic Framework Agreement signed between Iraq and the United States in 2008, as an existing framework that can be built upon to develop the relationship.

Penalties on flying and religious visits

Hussein also addressed the sanctions on Iranian airlines, describing the issue as extremely sensitive for Iraq, given its connection to the movement of visitors between the two countries and visits to holy sites.

He said that he met with American officials, including the President and the Secretary of State, in New York during the week preceding the meeting, and that he would continue his discussions in Washington with a number of officials.

He explained that his meeting schedule includes a meeting with the Minister of the Treasury, and discussions with officials in the Ministries of State and Defense and the National Security Council, and that he intends to raise the issue of sanctions and air traffic during these meetings.

According to the figures reported by the minister, Iraq annually receives about five million visitors from Iran, most of whom go to the holy places, especially in Karbala and Najaf, while about three million Iraqis travel to Iran to visit the holy places in Mashhad.

He stressed that this movement represents a sensitive issue because of its connection to religion and shrines, noting that Baghdad welcomes Iranian visitors.

He said that his goal in discussing the issue with American officials was to reach a solution, warning that not addressing the issue could lead to a major problem.

He wondered how to deal with the sanctions and their impact on Iranian flights heading to Iraq to serve visitors to Najaf and Karbala, as well as Iraqi flights heading to Mashhad, stressing the religious dimension of these visits.

Questions regarding the rapprochement between Washington and Tehran

During the meeting, the minister was asked questions about Iraq's readiness to help bring the United States and Iran closer to the negotiating table, and whether Baghdad was conveying messages between the two parties.

In the available part of his answer, Hussein stressed that Iraq enjoys an excellent relationship with Washington, and referred to receiving the Iraqi Prime Minister in the American capital.

Regarding playing a mediating role between Iran and the United States, Hussein said that Iraq has good relations with both parties.

These files come at the heart of the discussions conducted by the Iraqi Foreign Minister during his visit, amid Baghdad’s efforts to develop its bilateral relationship with the United States, proceed with the plan to deal with the factions’ weapons, and address the repercussions of the sanctions on travel and religious visits between Iraq and Iran.